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Fujifilm Developed a Linux SDK for Remote Control of the GFX100 Series when Mounted on a Drone

Supporting infrastructure inspection with a 102-megapixel camera and drone.

Developed a Linux SDK for remote control of the mirrorless digital camera “GFX100 Series” when mounted on a drone

FUJIFILM Corporation (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Yoshikazu Goto) has developed a Linux *2 software development kit (SDK) *3 for remote control of the mirrorless digital camera “GFX100 Series” with a 102-megapixel large format sensor *1 when mounted on a drone . Going forward, the company will begin providing this SDK to drone manufacturers who wish to mount the “GFX100 Series” on their drones *4 . As the first step, the company will collaborate with Autonomy Holdings Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Kenzo Nonami), which develops drones with high flight accuracy equipped with an original autopilot (automatic control function), to begin research and development on high-precision infrastructure inspection by combining Autonomy’s new drone “Surveyor IV” with the “GFX100 Series” using this SDK.

As the deterioration of domestic infrastructure progresses, the importance of inspections for maintenance is increasing. Since there are safety issues when inspecting high places and places that are difficult for people to access, remote infrastructure inspection using a combination of drones and high-resolution digital cameras is attracting attention. However, infrastructure inspection requires high accuracy to clearly distinguish 0.1 mm cracks, and drone inspection requires capturing as wide an area as possible in one shot to shorten flight time. The
GFX100 series, equipped with a 102-megapixel large format sensor, can capture ultra-high resolution images when combined with a dedicated interchangeable lens. Since it can clearly capture cracks and other defects with a wide angle of view, it reduces the number of shots by about 40% compared to a camera equipped with a 61-megapixel 35mm image sensor, thereby shortening inspection time. In addition, the cameras generally installed on drones tend to be expensive because lightweight dedicated models are used. On the other hand, the latest model in the “GFX100 series,” the “FUJIFILM GFX100S II,” weighs a total of approximately 1,273g when combined with the “FUJINON Lens GF35-70mmF4.5-5.6 WR,” making it extremely light for a camera equipped with a large format sensor with over 100 million pixels, and therefore can be mounted on a drone as a consumer camera system. It offers overwhelming cost performance compared to drone-specific cameras equipped with the same sensor.

By using the Linux-compatible SDK that we have developed, drone manufacturers can develop camera control software that meets their own specifications, making it possible to remotely control Fujifilm’s ultra-high-resolution digital cameras from their own systems.

*1 An image sensor with a diagonal length of 55 mm (43.8 mm horizontal x 32.9 mm vertical), approximately 1.7 times the area of ​​a 35 mm format sensor.
*2 An OS widely used in industrial fields such as infrastructure inspection.
*3 Official name: “FUJIFILM X Series and GFX System Digital Camera Control Software Development Kit.” This is a library that enables software developers to develop application software that remotely controls Fujifilm’s digital cameras. It enables remote control of Fujifilm’s “X/GFX Series” digital cameras, including the “GFX100 Series.”
*4 The product will be provided to manufacturers in Japan before other companies. The timing and terms of provision will be discussed individually.

No Fujifilm GFX100R Currently Under Development? A Huge Mistake and a Future Idea

We recently reported that the Fujifilm GFX100R (or any GFX50R replacement) is currently not under development.

And as we told you already, the best thing I can say is that at this point I believe it is currently debated inside Fujifilm if the line should continue at all (or not).

So today I’d like to speculate about the Fujifilm GFX100R, because I think Fujifilm would do a huge error if they’d axe the line.

So I hope this article (and especially your comments) will motivate Fujifilm to keep the GFX-R line going.

And in case Fujifilm needs it, I’ll share also a GFX-R mockup created by Aperture Value (video below).

In the mock-up he refers to it as a potential fixed lens GFX camera. But that’s not relevant for the purpose of this article.

What is relevant for us in his mock-up is:

  • the hybrid viewfinder
  • Retro Controls

I want kindly ask Fujifilm to make a Fujifilm GFX100R that is basically a medium format X-Pro, with hybrid viewfinder and retro controls.

I think it would become a huge success, especially considering that no other modern Fujifilm GFX cameras offers retro controls or a hybrid viewfinder, and as such, it would be the one camera people would grab if they’d want medium format image quality in a vintage package.

So, dear Fujifilm. Don’t hesitate. Do it! And take our money.

Fujifilm Firmware Updates for GFX100II and GF55mmF1.7

Fujifilm has released firmware updates for the Fujifilm GFX100 II and the Fujinon GF55mm f/1.7.

These are not the two main updates we are waiting for, which are:

You can find all the details about today’s firmware below.

Firmware Details

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It’s All About the Latest and Greatest: Fujifilm X100VI, X-T50, GFX100SII, GF500mm, XF16-50mm Review Roundup

Today we are going to cover the latest and greatest gear launched in 2024 in this dedicated roundup.

We will cover the Fujifilm X100VI, the Fujifilm X-T50, the Fujifilm GFX100SII the Fujinon XF16-50mm and the Fujinon GF500mmF5.6.

Written Reviews

Video Reviews

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Fujifilm Film Simulations Beat All the Rumors about X-E5, XPan TX-3, X-T50, GFX100SII and Fixed Lens GFX – Top 10 Articles of May

May was a month rich in interesting rumors. So it is definitely worth to check out our top 10 articles for May.

But interestingly, no matter how big the rumor was, the most clicked article was the one about the new film simulation website.

This shows how much interest there is for it and how well Fujifilm does to focus on them as far as marketing goes and also to try new ways to push them, such as the dedicated film simulation dial on the Fujifilm X-T50.

  1. Fujifilm Launches Dedicated Fujifilm Film Simulation Website
  2. Fujifilm X-T50 Price and Main Specs Leaked
  3. Fujifilm Could Release This Unique Digital Camera in 2028
  4. Fujifilm X-T50 Full Specs and Images Leaked
  5. Fujifilm to Release This All New Digital Camera in 2025
  6. SURPRISE: Fujifilm X-T50 Coming with an All New Dial
  7. Fujifilm X-E5: The Truth!
  8. This is the New Fujifilm X-T50 Film Simulation Dial – VOTE: Better Drive or Film Simulation Dial?
  9. Size Comparison: Fujifilm X-T50 vs X-T5, XF16-50 vs XF18-55, GFX100S vs GFX100SII
  10. EXCLUSIVE: This is Fujifilm’s New XF Telephoto Prime Lens Coming in 2024!

Don’t miss…

Fujifilm X-T4, X-H2 and GFX100II Extended Spectrum Infrared Cameras Appear Inside Official Fujifilm XApp

You might remember how back in 2023, BHphoto shortly listed a Fujifilm X-T4 extended spectrum on their website.

BHphoto later on removed the X-T4 IR saying it is now discontinued.

But now the whole story gets another twist.

A fellow FR-reader looked at the files of the latest Fujifilm XApp and hidden somewhere between the myriad of folders he found the following three cameras listed:

  • Fujifilm X-T4 Extended Spectrum
  • Fujifilm X-H2 Extended Spectrum
  • Fujifilm GFX100 II IR

So, why is Fujifilm putting these cameras inside their Fujifilm XApp? Are they maybe soon going to release special IR versions of them?

It would not be the first time, as we already got the Fujifilm X-T1 IR version once.

I think it would be great idea to breath new life into the Fujifilm X-T4 by launching a dedicated IR camera.

Fujifilm GFX100 II: “A 200,000 Dollar Hollywood Camera in a Mirrorless Body”

Ermia Ramez loves his Fujifilm GFX100II and has shared a very beautiful video in which he says the following

  • Only the Arri Alexa 65 has….

Actually forget about it. Just watch the video, shot on Fujifilm GFX100 II and enjoy it. This guy really put huge effort into it.

Size Comparison: Fujifilm X-T50 vs X-T5, XF16-50 vs XF18-55, GFX100S vs GFX100SII

Camerasize has added the latest Fujifilm gear to their database (although they call it the XT-50 there, so use that term to make your own comparisons).

I will share three comparisons in this article. You can see them below.

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SmallRig Cages and Cases for Fujifilm X-T50 and GFX100S II

As usual SmallRig is super fast when it comes to launching their latest cages and cases for the latest gear on the market.

And with the launch of the Fujifilm X-T50 and the Fujifilm GFX100S II, they have now announced the following cages and cases:

The Complete X-T50 Offering

The Complete GFX100S II Offering

Fujifilm X-T50, GFX100S II, XF16-50 and GF500mm Reviews and Pre-Orders Now! LIVE BLOG

Fujifilm X Summit Launch Blog
(refresh for latest updates)

Now Real:

Pre-Orders

Official Fujifilm Info

First Looks: Fujifilm X-T50 + XF16-50mmF2.8-4.8

  • BH Explora – FUJIFILM GFX 100S II, GF 500mm f/5.6, X-T50, and XF 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8
  • Rico’s Flickr – X-T50 + XF16-50 Samples
  • dpreview – X-T50 initial review
  • 50.8 Shop – X-T50 and GFX100S II announcement
  • fujistas (spanish) – X-T50 hands on
  • fujixweekly – Fujifilm X-T50 — The “Digital Film” Camera — But who is it for?
  • fujixweekly – Fujifilm X-T50 Film Dial Settings + 14 New Film Simulation Recipes (Yes, 14!!)

First Looks: Fujifilm GFX100S + GF500mmF5.6

  • BH Explora – FUJIFILM GFX 100S II, GF 500mm f/5.6, X-T50, and XF 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8
  • 50.8 Shop – X-T50 and GFX100SII announcement
  • thephoblographer – GF500mm review
  • thephoblographer – GFX100SII review
  • gizguide – FUJIFILM GFX100SII and GF500mm F5.6 super telephoto launched with Camera Samples
  • maxangeloni – Fujifilm GFX 100S II – the evolution of the species

Pre-Orders

Launch Videos
Fuji Guys & More

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